MINUTES WORK SESSION February 4, 2025 Council for the City of Covington held a work session on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 333 W. Locust Street, Covington, Virginia. Mayor William Carson, Jr. called the meeting to order with the following members present: Mayor William Carson, Jr.; Councilwoman Susan S. Crowder; Councilman Fred F. Forbes; Councilman Raymond C. Hunter; Councilwoman Susan S. Wolfe. Also present were City Manager Allen Dressler. Approval of Agenda Mr. Hunter motioned to approve the agenda seconded by Mr. Forbes. All members were in favor with "aye" votes. There were no citizen comments. Approval of the Regular Meeting for February 11, 2025 There was an exception for the February 11, 2025 agenda to table discussion of Council By-Laws and Rules of Procedure and to do any changes as they çome up. Council agreed by consensus. Report of City Manager Mr. Dressler thanked Council and for the public for attending. He recognized Chief Chris Smith, Kevin Pettitt with the Fire Department and Eric Tyree, Building and Zoning Official for their professionalism and all their training with the incident at Covington Middle School with a carbon monoxide leak. He also thanked Darrick Taylor with his work in facilities especially at City Hall. On January 31, 2025, Mr. Dressler met with Congressman Ben Cline, his Deputy Chief-of-Staff, Jonathan Hartsock, Terri McClung, Small Business Coordinator and David Bryant, Finance Director. It was a nice productive luncheon meeting. He thanked Becky Nuckols for arranging the visit/meeting. Mr. Hartsock is a veteran and spoke of attending the professional event, The Wall That Heals in Covington. He stressed about this being a nice and professional event. There were several discussions during the meeting including looking into property in the City. Mr. Dressler thanked Ms. McClung and the Olde Town Covington committee for their work advancing in the Virginia Main Street Program. He also recognized that there are five Police Officers with 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service. He hopes that the young officers will make a long career with the City. There were bids opened and a local contractor has been awarded the job for paving and sidewalks in Mid-City Mall. The downtown businesses will be notified when work will begin. There will be maintenance work done to five water tanks in the City within the next five years within the budget process. The maintenance is very important to continue good water" and processing for wastewater. Mr. Dressler thanked Anthony Lowry, Public Works Director; John Riley, Water Plant Supervisor and David Bryant for their work on this five year plan. Page 1 of2 Mr. Dressler thanked Lisa Worley, Director of Parks and Recreation, for having all the many events set for upcoming music events, municipal pool, depot, park reservations and lumberjack baseball. The field house at Casey Field is near completion, then there will be work started on the stadium for the visiting team, There has been fence work at Public Works, there is needed gate work and office work to be bid out. There was a wonderful, Merchant Meet Up', event held in the City, at the event Clifton Forge representatives spoke about what they have going on and when a meeting is held in Clifton Forge, the City will speak. Mr. Dressler thanked the Chamber for setting up, for all businesses/citizens and Ms. Crowder for attending. We all want to keep working together. New Business Mr. Forbes asked if the tanks that need maintenance will also be painted. Mr. Dressler stated that yes and there are needs for cameras and fencing. Mr. Carson confirmed with Mr. Dressler that the funds for spring paving are carry overs and not new funds. Mr. Hunter asked about the water that has gotten under the pavement at the underground crossing on Chestnut. Mr. Dressler said unfortunately it has caused pavement to lift and will need repair. Mr. Hunter asked about alleys being worked. Mr. Dressler agreed that alleys need work especially for those that have only one access to their property through an alley. Council moved into closed session pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) and (8) of the Code of Virginia. To enter into closed session for the limited purpose of: Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose where discussion in open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position ofthe public body related to properties located in the City and County. There was no action taken. Council came out of closed session. With no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned by consensus. Wclie droe WILLIAM CARSON, JR., MAYOR ATTEST: Lbta Bluhsk RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY REBECCA BRATTON NUCKOLS, ACTING CITY CLERK Page 2 of2